Mr. Joe Braccio, guitarist and steel drummer, teaches at Eckerd College,Spcollege,PinellasCounty Center for the Arts,John Hopkins Communicatons Magnet and also taught briefly at Clearwater Christian college. Mr Braccio started the curriculum for both guitar and steel drums at Perkins elementary,John Hopkins middle,PCCA and co-started steel drums with John Shaw at Spc. His background includes courses at Cresciani Guitar School in Rome, Siena master classes (Italy) and private study with Adam Holzman, Frank Mullins(First guitar major at Spjc), Sandy DeVito, Mike Sullivan (Eckerd College) Charlie Byrd, Professore San Felice and Jeff Linsky. He has performed with all of the above as well as Gene Bertocini-Herb Ellis-Jeff Narell-Charlie Byrd,Dave Lapio-John Shaw (Pan Magic steel drum duo) and the former Maurice Leysens (concert master for Florida Gulf coast symphony).
      Joe Braccio has over 40 years’ experience with various styles of music including Rock, Classical, world music, Top 40, Jazz, R&B, Blues, Latin and chamber music. He has taught over 10,000 private students, many of whom have won awards and competitions in both the classical, jazz and rock idioms as well as being signed by major music labels including: Virgin Records, Atlantic Records, Sony and MCA. Currently he is a member of the Tampabay steel orchestra and has played in a flute-guitar duo with Barbara Prescott for 30 years. Many of his students are instructors in the Tampabay area--as well as performers. Some of his former students include Joe Barresi (producer Tool and other famous bands), Michael Lynche (American idol finalist) Kris Hawkins ( Emmy award winning Producer -studio musician for many Pop artists), Larue Nickelson (Guitar instructor USF), John Harris( Guitar instructor -Clearwater Christian college), Kyle Sokol (Rude Squad), Brandon Dyke (Guitarist) John Middleton (Bassist for Savatage and Trans-Siberian Orchestra),Joe Porter (Bassist for Maynard Ferguson/Kenny Drew),Matt Laporte(Savatage),Dave Arazmo,David James,David Whiteside(P5audio.com),Chris Wallace(guitarist Suite Caroline/Karoline Kohl/Reba McIntyre and many numerous others involved currently in the music industry. On the steel drum side he has played with Kirby Rambert,Keith Hercules, Roy Marshall(Mashee),Ray Holman, Shelley Irvine, Michael Gabriel, Lorris Caines, Tampabay steel orchestra, Jeff Narell and Dave Lapio. Many of his students have gone on to careers on steel drums that include Panakolada,Mello Vibes, Bickely Rivera,Lightnin Jack,Danto,Ricardo and the duo of Jessica Renaud and Brian Scott.. Today he continues a busy and active performing career on both guitar and steel drums with his wife Lori.